# List of awards and nominations received by K. J. Yesudas

K. J. Yesudas is a multilingual singer, singing Indian classical music, devotional, light music and film songs. His commercially published recordings span multiple genres. This page lists his major awards, honors and titles.

## Titles and honours

| Year | Honour | Honouring body |
| 1975 | Padma Shri | Government of India |
| 1986 | Kalaimamani | Government of Tamil Nadu |
| 1989 | Honorary doctorate (D.Litt) | Annamalai University |
| 1993 | Lata Mangeshkar Award | Government of Madhya Pradesh |
| 2002 | Padma Bhushan | Government of India |
| 2003 | Honorary doctorate (D.Litt) | University of Kerala |
| 2009 | Honorary doctorate (D.Litt) | Mahatma Gandhi University, Kerala |
| 2010 | Swathi Sangeetha Puraskaram | Government of Kerala |
| 2017 | Padma Vibhushan | Government of India |
| 2017 | Rajyotsava Prashasti | Government of Karnataka |

## National Film Award for Best Male Playback Singer

Holds the record of eight time winner of National Film Award for Best Male Playback Singer, the most by any male playback singer.
| Year | Song | Film | Language |
| 1972 | Manushyan Mathangale | Achanum Bappayum | Malayalam |
| 1973 | Padmatheerthame Unaru | Gayathri | Malayalam |
| 1976 | Gori Tera Gaon Bada Pyara | Chitchor | Hindi |
| 1982 | Aakasa Desaana Aashada Maasaana | Meghasandesam | Telugu |
| 1987 | Unnikale Oru Kadha Parayam | Unnikale Oru Kadha Parayam | Malayalam |
| 1991 | Ramakadha Gaanalayam | Bharatham | Malayalam |
| 1993 | Ksheerasaagara Shayana | Sopanam | Malayalam |
| 2017 | Poymaranja Kaalam | Viswasapoorvam Mansoor | Malayalam |

## Kerala State Film Awards

| Category | Year | Song | Film |
| Best Male Playback Singer | 1969 | Polthinkalkkala | Kumara Sambhavam |
| Best Male Playback Singer | 1970 | Various Songs | Various Films |
| Best Male Playback Singer | 1971 | Various Songs | Various Films |
| Best Male Playback Singer | 1973 | Various Songs | Various Films |
| Best Male Playback Singer | 1974 | Various Songs | Various Films |
| Best Male Playback Singer | 1975 | Various Songs | Various Films |
| Best Male Playback Singer | 1976 | Various Songs | Various Films |
| Best Male Playback Singer | 1977 | Shankara Digvijayam | Jagadguru Aadisankaran |
| Best Male Playback Singer | 1977 | Neela Jalaashayathil | Angeekaaram |
| Best Male Playback Singer | 1979 | Krishna Thulasi | Ulkkadal |
| Best Male Playback Singer | 1980 | Manassoru Maanthrika | Mela |
| Best Male Playback Singer | 1980 | Mizhiyoram | Manjil Virinja Pookkal |
| Best Male Playback Singer | 1980 | Paavaada Venam | Angadi |
| Best Male Playback Singer | 1981 | Various Songs | Various Films |
| Best Male Playback Singer | 1982 | Various Songs | Various Films |
| Best Male Playback Singer | 1983 | Various Songs | Various Films |
| Best Male Playback Singer | 1984 | Ee Marubhoovil | Swantham Sarika |
| Best Male Playback Singer | 1985 | Vachaalamaakum Mounam | Ambada Njaane! |
| Best Male Playback Singer | 1985 | Anuragini Itha En | Oru Kudakeezhil |
| Best Male Playback Singer | 1986 | Neeraaduvaan | Nakhakshathangal |
| Best Male Playback Singer | 1993 | Raappaadi Kezhunnuvo | Aakashadooth |
| Best Male Playback Singer | 1993 | Chandrakantham Kondu | Padheyam |
| Best Male Playback Singer | 1993 | Madhuram Jeevaamrutha | Chenkol |
| Best Male Playback Singer | 1994 | Saamaja Sancharini | Parinayam |
| Best Male Playback Singer | 1995 | Ponnambili Pottumthottu | No. 1 Snehatheeram Bangalore North |
| Best Male Playback Singer | 1995 | Aathmaavin Pusthakathaalil | Mazhayethum Munpe |
| Best Male Playback Singer | 1995 | Japamaay Vedhasaadhakamaay | Punnaram |
| Best Male Playback Singer | 1996 | Kaliveedurangiyallo | Desadanam |
| Best Male Playback Singer | 1996 | Parvathi Manohari | Thooval Kottaram |
| Best Male Playback Singer | 1997 | Harimuraleeravam | Aaraam Thampuran |
| Best Male Playback Singer | 1998 | Etho Nidrathan | Ayal Kadha Ezhuthukayanu |
| Best Male Playback Singer | 2001 | Aakaasha Deepangal | Ravanaprabhu |
| J. C. Daniel Award | 2002 | Lifetime Achievement Award for outstanding contributions to Malayalam Cinema | Lifetime Achievement Award for outstanding contributions to Malayalam Cinema |
| Best Male Playback Singer | 2009 | Swantham Swantham | Madhya Venal |
| Best Male Playback Singer | 2014 | Aadithyakiranangal | White Boys |

## Nandi Awards (Andhra Pradesh State Film Awards)

| Year | Category | Song | Film |
| 1982 | Best Male Playback Singer | Sigalo Avi Viralo | Meghasandesam |
| 1988 | Best Male Playback Singer | Neeve Namma Jyothi | Jeevana Jyothi |
| 1990 | Best Male Playback Singer | Muddhabanthi Navvulo | Alludugaru |
| 2006 | Best Male Playback Singer | Vellipothunnava | Ganga |

## Tamil Nadu State Film Awards

* 1992- Best Playback Singer - Mannan
* 1989- Best Playback Singer - Nyaya Tharasu
* 1988- Best Playback Singer - Various Films
* 1982- Best Playback Singer - Moondram Pirai
* 1977- Best Playback Singer - Andaman Kadhali, Madhuraiyai Meetta Sundharapandiyan

## Filmfare Awards South

| Year | Category | Song | Film |
| 2003 | Lifetime Achievement Award | | |
| 2006 | Best Playback Singer (Malayalam) | Gange | Vadakkumnadhan |
| 2008 | Best Playback Singer (Malayalam) | Amma Mazhakkarinu | Madampi |
| 2009 | Best Playback Singer (Malayalam) | Aadhiyusha Sandhya | Kerala Varma Pazhassi Raja |

## Filmfare Awards

* 1980 - Best Male Playback Singer - Dilke Tukde from Dada
* 1976 - Filmfare Special Award - Gori Tera from Chitchor

## Kerala Film Critics Association Awards

* 1977 - Best Male Playback Singer - Various films
* 1978 - Best Male Playback Singer - Various films
* 1979 - Best Male Playback Singer - Various films
* 1980 - Best Male Playback Singer - Various films
* 1981 - Best Male Playback Singer - Various films
* 1982 - Best Male Playback Singer - Various films
* 1983 - Best Male Playback Singer - Various films
* 1984 - Best Male Playback Singer - Various films
* 1985 - Best Male Playback Singer - Various films
* 1986 - Best Male Playback Singer - Various films
* 1990 - Best Male Playback Singer - Amaram
* 1991 - Best Male Playback Singer - Bharatham
* 1992 - Best Male Playback Singer - Kamaladalam, Sargam, Kudumbasammetham
* 1993 - Best Male Playback Singer - Kalippattam, Sarovaram, Chenkol
* 1994 - Best Male Playback Singer - Various films
* 1995 - Best Male Playback Singer - Various films
* 1996 - Best Male Playback Singer - Desadanam, Ee Puzhayum Kadannu, Thooval Kottaram
* 1997 - Best Male Playback Singer - Kaliyattam, Aaraam Thampuran, Krishnagudiyil Oru Pranayakalathu
* 1998 - Chalachitra Ratnam Award

## Vanitha Film Awards

* 2009 - Lifetime Achievement Award
* 2009 - Best Playback Singer - Pazhassi Raja

## Asianet Film Awards

* 2015 - Lifetime Achievement Award
* 2008 - Lifetime Achievement Award
* 2000 - Best Playback Singer - Devadoothan

## Other major titles, honours and awards

* Geetanjali citation by the ex-president of India Neelam Sanjiva Reddy
* Star of India and Sangeetha Ratna (Music Jewel) awards by Lt. Governor of Pondicherry, Madan Mohan Lakhera
* Senate member of the Italy-based International Parliament for Safety and Peace
* Gaana Gandharvan by G. Sankara Kurup in 1968
* Sangeetha Raja (Music King) by Chembai in 1974
* Sur Singar Samsad Award in 1976
* Kerala Sangeetha Nataka Akademi Fellowship (Classical music) in 1979
* Sangeetha Chakravarthy (Music Emperor) by Pallavi Narasimachary in 1988
* Sangeetha Sagaram (Music Ocean) in 1989
* Asthana Gayakan (Official Singer) by Government of Kerala and Kerala Sangeetha Nataka Akademi in 1992
* Sangeet Natak Akademi Award in 1992
* Star of Cochin award in 1992
* National Citizens Award presented by Mother Teresa in 1994
* An Honorary award for Outstanding Achievements in Music and Peace by UNESCO in 1999
* Dr. Pinnamaneni and Seethadevi Foundation Award in 2000
* Bhakti Sangeetha Sironmani in 2002
* Sangeetha Kala Sudhakara by Vidyadheesha Teertha of Udupi Sri Krishna Temple in 2002
* Swathi Ratnam (Swathi Jewel) by The Malayalee Club, Chennai in 2002
* Asthana Vidwan (Official Teacher) by Udupi, Sringeri, and Raghavendra mutts in 2002
* Sapthagiri Sangeetha Vidwanmani by Sri Thyagaraja Swamy Vari Temple Etc., Building Trust in 2002
* Ranjini Sangeeta Kala Rathna Award by Sri Ranjini Trust, Chennai in 2002
* Sangeetha Kalasikhamani by The Indian Fine Arts Society, Chennai in 2002
* Korambayil Ahammed Haji Foundation Award in 2003
* Wisdom International Award in 2005
* Ghantasala Melody King Award in 2005.
* Mar Gregorius Award by Governor RL Bhatia in 2006
* Kannada Chithra Sahitya Rathna Sri.Udayashankar Memorial Film Award - Lifetime Achievement Award in 2007
* Kerala Ratna by Jaihind TV in 2008
* Honorary Membership by the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra in 2008
* Sathyan Memorial Film Award for Lifetime Achievement in 2009
* Susheela National Music Award in 2009
* Jaycee Foundation Film Award for Best Singer in 2009
* Social Excellence Award in 2010
* Mirchi Awards for Best Singer and Lifetime Achievement in 2010
* Sree Chithira Thirunal National Award in 2010
* Swaralaya – Eenam Award in 2010 – Decade's Best Talent in Malayalam Music
* Symphony TV Lifetime Achievement Award in 2010
* Jaihind TV Film Award 2010 for Best Male Playback Singer Award for the song Pinne Ennodonnum from the movie Shikkar.
* Amrita-FEFKA Lifetime Achievement Award in 2011.
* Swaralaya - Devarajan Master Award in 2011.
* CNN-IBN Indian of the Year Award in 2011
* M. K. Raghavan Vakkeel Award, instituted by Sree Narayana Sangam in memory of M. K. Raghavan, former Labour Minister and S. N. Trust General Secretary, in 2012.
* Limca Book of Records' People of the Year Award in 2012
* Harivarasanam Award, instituted by Travancore Devaswom Board in 2012
* Dharmashree award by Dharmashree Foundation, Eshwaramangala in 2012
* SIIMA Lifetime Achievement Award in 2013
* Dynamic Man of the Millennium Award by K. G. Foundation in 2013
* Harmony Award by Marthoma Research Academy in 2013.
* SKGS Thyagaraja Seva Rathna Award in 2014
* Special Award by Government of Kerala for his overall contributions in diverse fields in 2014
* Padmabhushan B. Sarojadevi National Award by Bharathiya Vidya Bhavan in 2015
* Mazhavil Mango Music Lifetime Achievement Award in 2017
* Sangeetha Kalasarathy award by Sri Parthasarathy Swami Sabha in 2017
* Flowers Music Awards' Lifetime Achievement Award in 2018
* All-time Entertainer Award by Mazhavil Manorama in 2019
* Deshabhimani Award in 2019
* C. R. Kesavan Vaidyar Award in 2019
* Ranjakagayakasiromanih (The Crown Jewel among those singers whose music is charming) from TSN's Percussive Arts Centre Inc (TSNPAC), New Jersey in 2022
* Outstanding Contribution in Music Industry honour by DPIFF in 2024